A RADICAL one-stop cardiovascular clinic could become more of a reality thanks to a charity just launched in Guildford.

Haste, standing for Heart and Stroke Trust Endeavour, has been set up by Peter Hutley to raise money to build a treatment centre at the Royal Surrey County Hospital which will allow diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of heart attacks and strokes (vascular problems) all under one roof. Mr Hutley has been working with consultant cardiologist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Dr Ed Leatham, and co-trustee Dr Tom Foley to develop the project. Mr Hutley said: "Two of my very good friends had strokes before I came to found the trust, and then I went for a check-up and was asked by Dr Leatham to do something about strokes. "We now have an established trust, Haste, to deal with vascular problems. "What Haste is going to try and do is to bring consultants together as a team to provide the kind of centre where vascular problems can be dealt with." The centre will aim to deal not only with people recovering from stroke and heart attacks, but will also to provide a more efficient way of diagnosing and treating symptoms. Dr Leatham said: "The aim of the vascular centre is that there will be one area of the hospital where there is a concentration of specialist equipment so that the patient can come and have tests done in hours rather than days or months. "In the new unit a patient will be seen in one day. A rapid diagnosis can be made and treatment given immediately to prevent a stroke." Fundraising is already under way, and although the exact cost of the centre has not yet been finalised, Mr Hutley has urged everyone to help in the drive to raise funds. He said: "I want to ask everyone to go out and create an event to raise money. "We can all add something to the National Health Service; it is up to us to back doctors like Dr Leatham and Dr Foley up in any way we can." For more information about the Haste project, ring Sally McLaren on 01483 464 838.